CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PARTICIPATION IN REUSE MARKETPLACEWeb-based Resource to Exchange Reusable Items, Reduce Waste, Capture Value and Save Money for Businesses and Institutions in the State

(13/P12) TRENTON –In conjunction with six other northeastern states, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection today announced New Jersey’s participation in the newly launched Reuse Marketplace, a web-based resource aimed at exchanging reusable items, reducing waste, saving money and capturing value of excess or unwanted items by finding new owners for these products, equipment or materials.

Reuse Marketplace (www.ReuseMarketplace.org) is a free regional website that can be tapped by businesses, municipalities, school districts and other institutions and non-profit organizations for posting or obtaining reusable, surplus or barely used materials.

“Reuse is an environmental and economic tool that keeps goods and materials out of the waste stream,’’ said Jane Kozinski, DEP Assistant Commissioner of Environmental Management. “It can be effective in reducing air and water pollution, and reducing the strain on valuable resources, such as fuel, forests and water supplies, which helps safeguard wildlife habitats. It also can help reduce the amount of trash disposed of annually and cut disposal costs.’’

Reuse members create free accounts and post listings for available items. They also may post detailed wanted listings, specifying the type(s) of items they need. While anyone can browse and access posted items, only members can post items to offer. Actual exchange transactions are carried out directly between interested parties.

The Marketplace includes more than 30 categories of items ranging from agricultural to textiles, plus some 60 related subcategories. Items currently on offer at the site -- to buy, sell, trade or give away -- include slate roofing tiles, overhead garage doors, televisions, office supplies, clean fill, and even a modular medical building, among many others.

The Reuse Marketplace site administrator is the Northeast Recycling Council (www.nerc.org), a regional non-profit group dedicated to an environmentally sustainable economy through source reduction, reuse, recycling and green purchasing. The Council is responsible for reviewing site membership requests and all listings prior to having them posted.